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FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Saturday derided Western critics of Qatar's human rights record and blasted their 'hypocrisy' during an opening news conference in Doha, Qatar, before the World Cup, which kicks off on Sunday. |
DOHA, Qatar — Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, attacked the West at his first news conference before the start of the month-long World Cup in response to persistent criticism of the host nation Qatar and its human rights record.
Infantino spoke to the foreign media for an hour at the Qatar National Convention Centre before taking questions for 45 minutes. Infantino slammed criticism of FIFA and Qatar in rambling, sometimes irate comments.
"I'm from Europe. Before imparting moral teachings, we should apologize for what we have been doing for the past 3,000 years over the world "said he.
He added to the defense by claiming, "I feel Qatari today. I feel Arab today. My current mood is African. I feel homosexual today. I feel unable today. I feel like a migrant laborer today."
Infantino referred to the criticism as hypocritical and claimed he had trouble comprehending it. "We must make investments in these people's welfare, education, and future in order to offer them more hope. Many things are not perfect, but reform and change take time, so we should all educate ourselves."
FIFA's decision to organize this event in Qatar in 2010 has drawn harsh criticism for both FIFA and the host nation. This is the first World Cup that has been hosted by a Middle Eastern nation. According to a report this month by the London-based rights organization Equidem, migrant workers who built the World Cup stadiums put in a lot of overtime and endured difficult working conditions. According to the study, they experienced discrimination, pay theft, and other wrongdoings.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino was defiant and combative at the opening press conference ahead of the World Cup in Qatar on November 19, 2022, in Doha, Qatar. |
A day after FIFA and Qatar agreed that alcohol sales will be prohibited at the eight stadiums, Infantino held a news conference. The decision, according to FIFA, will guarantee that "all fans have a joyful, respectful, and pleasant experience in the stadiums and surrounding areas."
Alcohol sales are severely regulated in Qatar, which practices the Wahhabi school of thought, a stringent version of Islam. Alcohol use in public is restricted to specific hotels and eateries.
Infantino said that the Qatari administration had told him that LGBTQ supporters are welcome there. Same-sex relationships are forbidden and constitute a criminal offense.
Ecuador and host Qatar square off in the first game of the 64-game competition on Sunday. More than a million supporters will visit the nation. It will be the finest World Cup ever, according to Infantino.
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